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The owner of a farm in Westport, Massachusetts, and 26 tenants, have been indicted on animal cruelty charges.

(Published Friday, March 31, 2017)

The owner of a Massachusetts farm and the 26 tenants who rent space on the property have been indicted on multiple animal cruelty charges after authorities say they found more than 1,400 animals in various levels of distress, the state's attorney general announced Friday.

Attorney General Maura Healey said the investigation into the Westport farm resulting in these charges is the largest of its kind in New England.

Thursday's indictment returned more than 150 counts of animal cruelty by a grand jury.

The investigation, which involved local and state law enforcement, animal advocacy groups and the state's agricultural department, started in July 2016 when Westport police were called to report animal cruelty allegations.

Hundreds of Dead, Injured Animals Found in Westport

"Hundreds of animals on this farm were kept in deplorable and dangerous conditions, with inadequate food, water, or shelter, many of them suffering from severe health ailments that required them to be euthanized," Healey said in a statement.

The farm's owner, 83-year-old Richard Medeiros, was hit with the most indictments by the grand jury, with a total of 21 animal cruelty charges.

Twenty-six tenants who rented space on the property were also indicted on animal cruelty charges.

The accused are expected to be arraigned in Bristol Superior Court at a later date. It's unclear if any have an attorney.

Some residents said they are relieved that so many people are facing charges.

"I'm happy because we are moving forward," said Jodi Greenleaf, a member of the Protest Westport Tenant Farm group. "We have taken a step in the right direction. But really, it's the beginning of a very long haul."

"I want to see this treated like a felony," added Roxanne Houghton, another member of the group. "I don't want to see people get fines that mean nothing to people."